A much-loved bar and restaurant in Vancouver’s West End is set to close its doors after nearly half a century. The Bayside Lounge first opened in 1979, known for its panoramic views of English Bay and throwback vibes. “It honestly doesn’t feel real,” the establishment wrote in a social media post announcing the closure. “To our regulars, neighbours, visitors, DJs and every team member who has been part of Bayside over the years—thank you. You’ve made this much more than a lounge. You’ve made it a place for friendships, celebrations and memories that will stay with us.” The bar will remain open until the end of October, and the team invites patrons to have one last drink before the spot closes for good. “Whether you’ve been coming for decades or only recently found us, we’d love to see you before our final night,” the post reads. The announcement garnered nearly 1,000 comments in under 24 hours, mourning the loss of the Davie Street lounge. A change.org petition to “save” the Bayside Lounge quickly received almost 2,000 signatures. Local DJ Pablo Zamudio shared Bayside Lounge was the venue where he had his first gig, and shouted out the other DJs in the city that “held it down for years” and helped make the space special. “Bayside was never just another bar to me. It had its own soul, its own characters, its own sound and a feeling you couldn’t really find anywhere else in Vancouver,” he wrote in a comment on the bar’s Instagram.
